STAINLESS STEEL
for
for aa sustainable
sustainable future
future
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TURNING THE LIGHTS ON....................... 4
TRANSPORT.................................... 20
WATER.................................................................... 8
IN THE CITY...................................... 24
EATING & COOKING AT HOME............ 12
PRODUCING FOOD.................... 28
ON THE ROAD................................................. 16
HEALTHCARE.................................. 32
SOCIAL
BEARABLE
EQUITABLE
SUSTAINABLE
ECONOMIC
ENVIRONMENT
VIABLE
Stainless steel can last hundreds
of years if selected correctly
Stainless steel is 100 %
recyclable without any loss in
quality no matter how many
times the process is repeated
DURABLE, HYGIENIC & RECYCLABLE
Stainless steel is easily cleanable
and does not contaminate the
product it touches
STAINLESS STEEL & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Due to its resistance to corrosion and staining, as well as needing little
maintenance, most stainless steel products have long useful lives. The average
life of stainless steel products is in the range of 15-25 years and, for some
applications, much longer. For example, the Chrysler Building is over 80 years
old! Stainless steel products contribute towards renewable energy generation,
energy efficiency, reduction in environmental impact, and safe food and beverage
production. There are many types of stainless steel to suit a wide range of
applications. Chosen and used correctly, they can make a major contribution to
sustainability.
STAINLESS STEEL AND RECYCLING
Stainless steel is 100 % recyclable. When products reach the end of their useful
lives, over 80 % of the stainless steel is collected and recycled. The recycling of
stainless steel is a large and profitable industry.
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Stainless steel for a sustainable future
3
TURNING THE LIGHTS ON
BIOMASS
The conversion of biomass into
biogas is among the cheapest
forms of renewable energy.
Properly specified stainless steel
can withstand the corrosive
materials used in the digester.
As the biogas may still contain
corrosive impurities, stainless steel
tanks are also ideal for collecting
of gas during the night, before it is
used to generate electricity during
the day, when the price for energy
is higher. Stainless steel biogas
plants make a triple contribution
to green energy generation: they
solve problems of organic waste
(including manure) disposal, save
fossil fuel reserves and improve
the CO2 balance.
Stainless steel
is essential
in sustainable
energy
production
& distribution
‘‘ Stainless steel
biogas plants
make a triple
contribution
to green energy
generation ’’
4
Stainless steel for a sustainable future
5
TURNING THE LIGHTS ON
NUCLEAR ENERGY
SOLAR POWER
Nuclear energy is a low carbon
power generation source. A
wide range of stainless steel
components is used in all stages
of the nuclear cycle, contributing
to the safe and reliable
production of nuclear energy.
‘‘ Stainless steel
CONTRIBUTES TO
A SAFE & RELIABLE
PRODUCTION OF
NUCLEAR ENERGY ’’
6
Stainless steel for a sustainable future
Whether we look at solar water
heating, photovoltaic cells, solar
cooling, or solar concentrators,
the properties of stainless steel
make it an essential element in
most solar energy applications.
Thanks to its resistance to
corrosion, stainless steel tanks
for molten salt offer a heat storage
system for solar farms that
‘‘ Stainless steel
IS AN ESSENTIAL
ELEMENT IN MOST
SOLAR ENERGY
APPLICATIONS ’’
allows solar heat to be kept for
10—15 hours. The technology
enables solar plants to operate
without interruptions and thus
contributes to making solar
energy commercially feasible.
Stainless steel is instrumental in
solving today’s biggest challenge:
emission-free production of
electrical energy.
7
WATER
DESALINATION
Stainless steel
is PART OF THE
ANSWER TO THE
SUSTAINABLE
WATER CHALLENGE
Turning seawater into drinkable
water is the preferred solution
for supplying water for many arid
regions. Stainless steel provides
unmatched solutions for the
desalination industry as seawater
combined with high temperatures
create a corrosive environment
which stainless steel can resist.
In dry parts of the world, stainless
steel makes the lives of millions of
people better by providing access
to drinking water.
‘‘ Stainless steel
PROVIDES
UNMATCHED
SOLUTIONS FOR
THE DESALINATION
INDUSTRY ’’
8
Stainless steel for a sustainable future
9
WATER
WASTEWATER TREATMENT
Water is endlessly recycled but
it needs to be purified, as only
approximately 1 % of the earth’s
water is potable. Stainless
steel is the optimal material
for processes such as water
purification and it also helps to
prevent contamination of our
lakes and rivers. This is why since
the late 1960s stainless steel has
been the material of choice for
the construction of wastewater
treatment plants.
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Stainless steel for a sustainable future
DRINKING WATER SUPPLY
The infrastructure providing
clean water may be hidden, but
is nonetheless very important.
From the well to the tap, drinking
water is extracted, treated, stored
and conveyed in stainless steel
equipment. Health awareness
and the quest for durable
building solutions make more
and more owners choose stainless
steel for domestic plumbing.
‘‘ Stainless steel
IS THE OPTIMAL
MATERIAL FOR
PROCESSES SUCH
AS WATER
PURIFICATION ’’
‘‘ WATER IS EXTRACTED,
TREATED, STORED &
CONVEYED IN
STAINLESS STEEL ’’
11
Eating & cooking at homE
KITCHEN APPLIANCES
STAINLESS STEEL
PRESERVES THE
TASTE AND
APPEARANCE OF
FOOD WHILE
ENSURING HYGIENE
AND SAFETY
12
Stainless steel for a sustainable future
Since its discovery early in the
20th century stainless steel has
become a favorite in domestic
kitchens, in the form of stainless
steel ovens, cooking utensils and
tableware. Why? It is because
stainless steel makes these
kitchen essentials extremely
strong, durable and easy to
clean. It has also proven in clinical
tests to be more hygienic than
other food-contact surfaces.
‘‘ stainless steel has
become a favorite
in domestic kitchens ’’
13
Eating & cooking at homE
FLASKS & WATER BOTTLES
CUTLERY
Next time you are sitting in a
restaurant waiting for your food to
arrive, take a look at the back of
your fork or your spoon – you are
likely to see a couple of numbers
(18/10, 18/8 or 18/0) next to the
brand name. Those numbers are
percentages; the first represents
the amount of chromium and the
second the amount of nickel in the
stainless steel fork or spoon you
are about to eat with. Stainless
steel is an inert material, which
is easy to clean, so not only
will the material remain pristine
but so will the food, untainted by
metallic constituents or corrosion
products. These properties make
stainless steel the most widely
used material for cutlery.
‘‘ stainless steel IS
the most widely
used material
for cutlery ’’
14
Stainless steel for a sustainable future
‘‘ Stainless steel
water bottles
are increasingly
popular as people
can reuse them
many times over ’’
Flasks are double-walled bottles
with a vacuum between the
inner and outer shell. Stainless
steel is an ideal material for
this application: it withstands
the atmospheric pressure on
the vacuum chamber, is nonbreakable and the typical
grades used have low thermal
conductivity, making the
insulating effect even stronger.
Stainless steel water bottles are
increasingly popular as people
can reuse them many times
over. Using strong, safe, durable
and easy to clean stainless steel
bottles means that you can bottle
your own water making it cheaper
as well as environmentally sound.
15
ON THE ROAD
BIOFUELS
The production of ethanol involves
corrosive processes, which require
most of the tanks and pipes to
be made from stainless steel. A
medium-sized bio-ethanol plant
can require as much as 2,000
to 3,000 tonnes of stainless
steel. In the future, bio ethanol
will increasingly be made from
materials like waste wood, wheat
and corn chaff. The necessary
pretreatment will involve strong
acids and make high performance
materials like super-austenitic
and duplex stainless steel grades
indispensable and hence
widely used in the processing of
chemicals. Stainless steel makes
bio-ethanol production more
sustainable.
WHILE DRIVING
YOU WILL COME
ACROSS MANY
SUSTAINABLE
APPLICATIONS OF
STAINLESS STEEL
‘‘ Stainless steel
makes bio-ethanol
production more
sustainable ’’
16
Stainless steel for a sustainable future
17
ON THE ROAD
VEHICLE EXHAUSTS
BRIDGES
Bridges are made to last - usually
for more than a century. However,
conventional bridge materials
require regular re-painting or
repair, which is extremely costly
and causes traffic disruptions.
Stainless steel bridges provide a
virtually maintenance free solution
even in the most demanding
environments like seaside
locations in hot and humid tropical
climates.
‘‘ stainless steel
can reduce the
environmental
impact of
combustion
engines ’’
‘‘ Stainless steel
bridges provide
a virtually
maintenance free
solution ’’
The use of stainless steel in
automobile exhaust systems
began with the introduction of
catalytic converters. The new
systems demanded resistance to
corrosion, mechanical stress
and high temperatures. Today,
stricter emissions standards are
18
Stainless steel for a sustainable future
being extended to vehicles like
trucks and motorcycles. With
stainless steel we can reduce
the environmental impact of
combustion engines while keeping
the costs down.
19
TRANSPORT
RAILCARS
Because of its low maintenance
and long life stainless steel has
become an ideal material for the
rail industry, whether passenger,
freight, metro or light rail systems.
Some grades of stainless steel
“work harden” - increase in
strength when deformed at
ambient temperatures. This added
strength enables manufacturers to
reduce the thickness of stainless
steel railcar body structures,
making them lighter and therefore
more economic to operate.
These characteristics also
increase passenger safety in the
unlikely event of a collision.
STAINLESS STEEL
IS USED TO
KEEP GOODS
AND PEOPLE
MOVING TO THEIR
DESTINATIONS
‘‘ stainless steel
has become an
ideal material
for the rail
industry ’’
20
Stainless steel for a sustainable future
21
TRANSPORT
AIRPORTS
STATIONS
‘‘ Stainless steel
is helping to
make public
transport more
sustainable ’’
Stainless steel fixtures in stations
are high-quality, comfortable,
fire resistant, lightweight
and resistant to corrosion.
Stainless steel is hard wearing
and its surface does not require
any coatings, further reducing
maintenance and running costs.
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Stainless steel for a sustainable future
Hygienic cleaning is easy to
perform and graffiti can be
removed using suitable solvents
without damaging the stainless
steel. Stainless steel is helping
to make public transport more
sustainable.
In airports people are in constant
movement, going through shops,
gates and concourses. Stainless
steel is being incorporated into
both the interiors and the exteriors
of airports because of its pleasing
aesthetic but also because
of its structural strength,
cleanability, corrosion
resistance, and scratch and
impact resistance.
‘‘ Stainless steel is
being incorporated
into both the
interiors and the
exteriors of
airports ’’
23
IN THE CITY
TUNNELS
Stainless steel is finding increasing
use in tunnels for its fire and
corrosion resistance properties
and long maintenance-free life.
Road and rail tunnels for example
face the problem of exhaust
gases and de-icing salt, so
highly corrosion resistant grades
of stainless steel are the most
sustainable solution.
‘‘ highly corrosion
resistant grades
stainless steel
are the most
sustainable
solution ’’
24
Stainless steel for a sustainable future
STAINLESS STEEL
IS USED TO BUILD
STRONG, LOW
MAINTENANCE
AND BEAUTIFUL
STRUCTURES THAT
WILL LAST FOR
DECADES
25
IN THE CITY
BUILDINGS
STREET FURNITURE
Durable, aesthetic, safe
and hygienic stainless steel
provides the ideal solution in a
wide range of urban applications
- including street furniture. Its
low maintenance cost, ease
of cleaning and resistance to
vandalism also make it attractive
to public authorities that are
seeking sustainable solutions.
‘‘ stainless steel
provides the
ideal solution
in a wide range
of urban
applications ’’
26
Stainless steel for a sustainable future
The design of buildings has
become a key factor in addressing
the challenges of resource
availability and climate change.
A stainless steel roof or building
exterior can reduce the solar
heating effect and hence the
demand on the air-conditioning
system. At the same time, its
corrosion resistance ensures low
maintenance and long life, and
it is a fully recyclable material.
‘‘ A stainless steel
roof or building
exterior can
reduce the solar
heating effect ’’
27
PRODUCING FOOD
MILK
STAINLESS STEEL
HELPS INCREASE THE
SUSTAINABILITY OF
FOOD PRODUCTION
AND PROCESSING
Dairy processes are particularly
susceptible to contamination and
only the highest standards of
hygiene make them work reliably
and safely on an industrial scale.
No wonder that the dairy industry
was the first to switch to stainless
steel for most of their equipment:
the use of austenitic stainless steel
in the dairy industry can be traced
back to 1913. By facilitating the
efficient, safe handling and
processing of milk, stainless steel
has helped reduce the baseline
cost of the product to 55 in the
year 2000 from about 100 in the
1920s. Plus pasteurised milk is
perfectly hygienic thanks to the
use of stainless steel in the milk
production process.
‘‘ pasteurised
milk is perfectly
hygienic thanks
to the use of
stainless steel ’’
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Stainless steel for a sustainable future
29
PRODUCING FOOD
CATERING
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Stainless steel is the material of
choice for the food and beverage
industry because it does not affect
the taste of products such as milk,
beer or wine. It is easily cleaned
and sanitised to prevent bacterial
contamination. Using stainless
steel helps minimise food losses
and its durability makes it the
sustainable choice for the food
and beverage sector.
‘‘ stainless steel
is everywhere,
in kitchens all
around the
world ’’
‘‘ Stainless steel
does not affect
the taste of
products ’’
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Stainless steel for a sustainable future
Stainless steel is recognised
as the best material for use in
commercial food equipment. Used
for work surfaces, sinks, display
units, rotisseries, extractor hoods
and endless other applications,
stainless steel is everywhere, in
kitchens all around the world.
Stainless steel provides a
combination of properties vital to
end-users in this sector. These
properties include corrosion
and temperature resistance,
cleanability, durability, impact
resistance and attractive
appearance. It is also a very
hygienic material and totally
neutral in food-contact contexts.
31
HEALTHCARE
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
STAINLESS STEEL
MEDICAL DEVICES
MAKE AN INVALUABLE
CONTRIBUTION TO
THE WELL-BEING
OF SOCIETY
Stainless steel is inert, corrosion
and wear resistant and has
surface characteristics that
make equipment easy to clean
hygienically, even after years and
decades of intense use. It can
withstand sterilization processes
while remaining resistant to
corrosion.
‘‘ Stainless steel
can withstand
sterilization
processes while
remaining
resistant to
corrosion ’’
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Stainless steel for a sustainable future
33
HEALTHCARE
PHARMACEUTICALS
Stainless steel does not react
with the chemical and biological
substances used to produce
pharmaceuticals. Its surface
characteristics can be enhanced,
e.g. by electropolishing, to
minimise adhesion and optimize
cleanability to the exacting
standards of pharmaceutical and
biochemical processes. Stainless
steel helps to mass-produce
medicine and make it widely
available.
SURGICAL IMPLANTS
& DENTAL APPLICATIONS
Stainless steel is the preferred
material for surgical and dental
tools and equipment. Why? It
is accepted by the body, easy
to clean and sterilize, strong,
and resistant to corrosion.
Speciality stainless steels are used
in implants such as bone fixation
screws and prosthetic joints,
helping many people have a better
life.
‘‘ Stainless steel is
the preferred
material for
surgical and
dental tools
and equipment ’’
‘‘ Stainless steel
helps to massproduce medicine
and make it widely
available ’’
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Stainless steel for a sustainable future
35
You have printed the brochure?
to use those external links, scan this QR code :
EXTERNAL LINKS
TURNING THE LIGHTS ON
WATER
SOLAR POWER
DESALINATION
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Photovoltaic Panels
Solar Hot Water Panels
How Nickel Stainless Steels Are
Improving The Prospects For Solar
Energy
Solar Water Heaters - The Ferritic
Solution
Solar Power Case Studies
BIOMASS
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•
Stainless Steel in Biogas Production
Agricultural Biomass Energy Generation
Plant
NUCLEAR ENERGY
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Nickel Use in Nuclear Power
Experimental Nuclear Fusion Generator
Steam Turbine Blades
Duplex 2205: The New Choice for
Nuclear Power Piping
36
Stainless steel for a sustainable future
Desalination & Water Treatment
Desalination in Stainless Steel
Water - Our Most Valuable Resource
WASTEWATER TREATMENT
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Performance of Stainless Steel in
Wastewater Installations
Water Waste Treatment
Stainless Steel in Sewage Water
Treatment
Thames Gateway Water Treatment
Works
DRINKING WATER SUPPLY
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•
Potable Water Treatment Plants
Drinking Water Fountain
Stainless Steel in the Water Industry
Drinking Water Applications
Stainless Steel - Water for the Growing
World
EATING & COOKING
AT HOME
KITCHEN APPLIANCES
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•
•
•
Frequently Asked Questions: Cleaning
Stainless Steel in the Home
Domestic Applications
The Care and Cleaning of Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel in the Home of Tomorrow
CUTLERY
•
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•
Why Stainless Steel is Chosen in
Countless Food and Beverage Related
Applications
Nickel in Food and Beverage Industry
Stainless Steel and Hygiene
FLASKS & WATER BOTTLES
•
Flasks and Water Bottles
ON THE ROAD
BIOFUELS
•
•
Nickel-containing Stainless Steel in
Ethanol Production
Stainless Steels: Cost-Efficient Materials
for the Global Biofuels Industries
BRIDGES
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•
•
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Stonecutters Bridge Towers Case Study
Bridges
Pedestrian Bridge in Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel Rebar’s Resistance to the
Corrosive Effects of De-icing Salt
The Helix, a Complex Duplex Bridge
VEHICLE EXHAUSTS
•
•
•
Stainless Steels in the Automotive Sector
Stainless Steel in Automotive
Applications
Stainless Steel New Automotive
Applications
37
You have printed the brochure?
to use those external links, scan this QR code :
EXTERNAL
EXTERNAL LINKS
LINKS
TRANSPORT
IN THE CITY
PRODUCING FOOD
HEALTHCARE
RAIL CARS
BUILDINGS
FOOD & BEVERAGE
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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Innovative Stainless Steel Applications in
Transport Vehicles
Rolling Stock
Corrosion Resistance Combined with
Aesthetic Appeal Make Stainless Steel
an Ideal Metal for the Manufacture of
Passenger Rail Cars
Railcars in Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel Railways Applications
STATIONS
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Rail and Bus Stations
Stainless Steel Accelerates Barcelona’s
Metro Line Expansion Project
ISSF Book of New Applications
Vauxhall Cross Bus Station in London
Erasmus Metro Station in Brussels
AIRPORTS
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Sustainable Stainless Steel Transit
Station Design
Building Interiors - The Ferritic Solution
38
Stainless steel for a sustainable future
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Stainless Steel Sustainability Advantages
in Architecture
Stainless Steel Façades
Stainless Steel for Roofing
Online Information Center for Stainless
Steel in Construction
Stainless Steel Long Products for
Building and Construction
Energy-Saving Stainless Steel Facades
Stainless Steel in Architecture
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MILK
STREET FURNITURE
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Street Furniture Website
ISSF Book of New Applications 2009 Street furniture
Delivering 120 Billion Litres of Safe and
Healthy Milk Every Year
Stainless Steel in the Dairy Industry
CATERING
TUNNELS
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Stainless Steel in Tunnels
Tunnel Safety
Stainless Steel New Applications for the
Protection of the Environment - Air
Stainless Steel in the Food and Beverage
Industry
Winemaking With A New Stainless Steel
Surface Finish
Nickel in Food and Beverage Industry
ISSF Book of New Applications 2009 Food and Beverage Industry
Stainless Steel is a Winner
Commercial Food Equipment - The
Ferritic Solution
Spotless Stainless - The Pride of
Professionals
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Nickel in Medical Applications
Nickel-containing Stainless Steels are a
Vital Component for Medical Excellence
Medical Sink
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
PHARMACEUTICALS
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EpiPen® with a Nickel-containing
Stainless Steel Needle That’s a Real
Lifesaver for Many Families
ISSF Book of New Applications 2007 Human Health
Use of 2205 Duplex Stainless Steel in
Pharmaceuticals
SURGICAL IMPLANTS & DENTAL
APPLICATIONS
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Nickel-containing Stainless Steels Make
the Hypodermic Needle a Life-Saver
Surgical Implants
39
Team Stainless promotes the many benefits of stainless steel to a
sustainable society. Team Stainless is an informal cooperation among
associations of the stainless steel and alloying element industries. It
has a global mission.
This publication has been developed
by the members of Team Stainless
International Manganese Institute
Stainless Steel For a Sustainable Future
(interactive animation) :
www.teamstainless.org